Wissahickon Trail Classic (10k trail run)

This past Saturday, June 7th, my Aunt and I ran the Wissahickon Trail Classic 10k trail run. The race took place in the Nation’s largest municipal park (Fairmount Park) in Philadelphia, PA.

The course gave runners a full trail-running experience! It began on Forbidden Drive, a gravel tow path along the West side of the Wissahickon creek, which then led the runners up a steep single path mountain bike trail through shade trees and vegetation. At the top of the first climb, the trees opened up to a beautiful view. The course then took the runners back down to the East side of the creek before returning via covered bridge to the Forbidden Drive to endure one final hill before heading for the finish.

The race was challenging, but fun!

I was going to write-up a race recap, but I just opened my mail account and found out that the race organizers had already done the work for me! See below for a recap of the 2014 Wissahickon Trail Classic, written by the organization themselves.

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Weaver and Zielinski Victorious at Wissahickon Trail Classic!

It was a little bit of déjà vu at the finish line of the 10-k Wissahickon Trail Classic on June 7. Daryl Weaver, 41, of Lititz, PA., was overall race winner for the third time in the history of the event. But this time, he really had to work for it. In one of his earlier victories, Weaver won by five minutes. But this year, the margin was reduced to five seconds over second place finisher Patrick Brandon of Philadelphia.

Kristen Zielinski, 33, of Manayunk won the women’s division for the second year in a row with a comfortable margin of more than a minute over second place finisher Nicole Danielewicz of Bensalem.

This ninth edition of the Wissahickon Trail Classic produced an excellent turnout with 474 runners finishing. Running conditions were ideal with bright sunshine and temperatures in the mid-60’s.